Unusual Cults: Cargo Cults & Bikram Yoga

Hailey Bieber just sold her 3 year old beauty company Rhode for $1 billion. Is the girlboss back? We investigate the world of celebrity beauty—how are these brands created and what makes one hit vs flop?Topics covered:e.l.f. Beauty Acquires Rhode for $1B—was it a good dealThe origins of the celeb beauty companyHow do celebrities go about creating their brands?What are the typical backgrounds of the founding team, and how involved is the celebrity?Is there a magic formula/playbook to creating a successful celeb beauty brand? We look at Fenty, Rare, and Haus Labs.If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

What do you get when a former Catholic schoolgirl and a business-school-educated atheist chat religion? A deep dive into the Vatican—how it works as a business, country, and moral guidepost.Topics covered:A quick overview of Christianity and the history of how Protestantism split from Catholicism—great primer for the non-religiousThe origins of the Vatican and how the Holy See governs todayHow the Vatican makes money, and its current deficitHow much power does the Vatican really have?The significance of the name chosen by the new Pope, Leo XIVCults and scandals that have rocked the Catholic ChurchIf you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

We research the Cohabitation Effect—how concerned should you be really that living with your partner before marriage may actually mean you’re more likely to divorce?Topics covered:Should you avoid living with your partner before marriage if you want higher marital satisfaction and a lower divorce rate?Global trends around cohabitation before marriage and as an alternative to marriageWhat are the psychological reasons underpinning why and when people move in together?Who takes on more of the household labor when you cohabitate, and then when you get married? How common is sharing household chores vs specializing and dividing chores?If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

We look at the psychology of corn addiction, how it impacts relationships and your brain. Is it a real addiction, or is it really not that serious?Topics covered:Is watching p*** cheating on your partner? What do psychologists have to say?Can you be addicted to corn/sex?Does watching too much p*** change your brain?If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

We react to the article “The Case for Marrying an Older Man” by Grazie Sophia Christie, a controversial take from a younger woman who pursued an older husband as a shortcut to her dream life.Topics covered:-As a woman, is your greatest asset your youth?-Power differences in age gap relationships-The pros and cons of partnership vs mentorship in romantic relationships-Assumptions and biases when confronted with age gap relationships-Do a woman’s best years align with a man’s best years?If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

This week, special guest & friend of the pod Cherish joins Lucy to discuss her experience leaving the Children of God cult, building a new life in the US, and her reflections since.Additional resources on the Children of God:BooksSex Cult Nun by Faith JonesNot Without My Sister by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones, and Juliana BuhringCult Following by Bexy CameronDocumentaries/TVChildren of the Cult (2021)Cults and Extreme Belief, Episode 3 (2018)Children of God: Lost and Found (2007)If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

In the aftermath of heartbreak, we share our experiences with breakups and how to move through relationship grief (spoiler alert: Lucy is still happily married!)If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Blood transfusions, drinking gold, and chasing the fountain of youth, this week we dive into the pursuit of living forever, from ancient times to modern day.Topics covered:-How the desire to live forever has changed throughout history-Ancient and renaissance practices to achieve immortality-Mythology of The Fountain of Youth and the Holy Grail-Bryan Johnson and Project Blueprint: what a millionaire is doing to live forever-Laura Deming and The Longevity Fund-What science has to say about our ability to extend lifespansIf you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

What is cycle syncing, and should your boyfriend really be cooking you a steak when you’re on your period? We dig into the wonderful workings of our bodies and uncover just how much our hormones affect our lives, from how we feel each day to which romantic partner we select. Topics covered: -Phases of the menstrual cycle and what’s going on in your body -How to treat yourself well in each phase (food & exercise) -Do women’s cycles sync with one another? Are they affected by the moon? pheromones? -How hormonal birth control does/does not affect your cycle, your fertility, and your overall health -Alternatives to hormonal birth control: rhythm method and copper IUD -Women’s health in a patriarchal society If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

We discuss the podcast sensation The Telepathy Tapes. Are nonverbal autistic children telepathic? We look into the research on spelling and psi phenomena, reflecting on claims made on the show and our own beliefs. Topics covered: -Overview of The Telepathy Tapes, non-verbal autistic children having telepathic abilities -The research on spelling, those supporting it and those against it -Materialist vs metaphysical view -Research on other psi phenomena and the CIA’s Stargate project on clairvoyance -Savant Syndrome -Questions of storytelling, journalistic integrity, and polarized viewpoints If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️